“If you want to be leader of opposition, go to opposition”: Gov. Dickson takes on Gov. Amaechi



by Stanley Azuakola

Rivers governor, Rotimi Amaechi, and his Bayelsa counterpart, Seriake Dickson, do not have the most excellent relationship.

When the former governor of Bayelsa, Timipreye Sylva was involved in a running battle with the president, leading to his loss of the PDP ticket, Gov. Amaechi was one of those who strongly rooted for the ex-governor over the incumbent.

The relationship between Amaechi and Dickson two took a turn for the worse following the dispute in 2012 regarding the Soku oil wells, which is claimed by both Rivers and Bayelsa.

Naturally, Dickson belongs to the pro-Jonathan camp in the ongoing war being waged between the Rivers governor and Aso Rock.

Speaking to newsmen last weekend, Dickson cautioned Amaechi to focus on running his state, and leave the running of the nation to the president who was elected to do so.

Asked about the Amaechi-Jonathan brouhaha, Dickson said:

“You press people should not equate a provincial player with elected President of the Federal Republic. The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria cannot have misunderstanding with a provincial player as a governor of Rivers State or any other governor for that matter.

Dickson said: “As governors, we are elected to run our states, no more – no less. If you want the mandate to run Nigeria, you contest an election for it. Don’t do it through the back door. If you want to be a leader of opposition, you go to the opposition. What is happening is that people are taking advantage of our weak institutions and our fledgling democracy such that sometimes you don’t even know who belongs to where socially.

“So please, I’m not aware of any misunderstanding between the President of Nigeria and a provincial player like myself who is a governor of a state. You are demeaning the President and you shouldn’t do that in this country.”

He maintained the the forum of governors is not a forum for control of national politics, but a mechanism for peer review of governors.

“We, as governors are elected to manage our states. So the Governors’ Forum cannot be allowed to go on as a trade union. Of course, that is wrong!

“What has happened is that people are taking advantage of the development and discontent in our system to manipulate it to suit their individual whims and caprices. But what is wrong is wrong!

“Look at the United States Governors’ Forum where we even copied it from, you don’t see Governors’ Forum there coming to tell Obama what he should and what he should not do. We are provincial players, because our mandate is to lead our states, not to run the federation.

“Those who have a mandate to run the federation are the President, Vice President, the elected members of our National Assembly and the political leadership of the parties. Those are the people who have a platform. And if as a governor, I have any strong view on things that go on at the federal level, we have avenues; informal, formal – we have the National Economic Council. Over the years, I think what has happened, particularly in the PDP and it is very unfortunate that these focus on the Governors’ Forum is as a result of some developments in the PDP.

“It is unfortunate that it is rubbing off on the governors from the opposition parties. What has happened over the years is that governors of the PDP who became chairmen of the Governors’ Forum, all attempted to use it as a platform for playing national politics – a platform for occupying national political space. It is wrong! It shouldn’t be allowed! That’s why the idea of the PDP Governors’ Forum became necessary.

“But you see, because for now there is manipulation of facts and our institutions are not yet strong enough, including the media – you are doing a very good job but not yet strong enough. You see things being manipulated as if anybody is disturbing anybody, instead of saying no, this thing you guys are doing is wrong. People are saying as if “there is a crisis and somebody does not want somebody, no!

“The Governors’ Forum is simply a peer review mechanism; no more, no less! PDP governors have the right to have their own group because the right to association is a first law in a democracy! ACN governors and others, even councillors have associations.

“There is so much focus on what go on in the PDP; if you are in the PDP you will meet at the structure of the PDP to resolve problems, if you are not in the PDP you concentrate on your party and make strong efforts to defeat the PDP.”

black9jaberry: Dickson i hope that you wont fall out with GEJ.........Remembering Timipreye Sylva and his supportive days (laughing in china)

black9jaberry: Dickson i hope that you wont fall out with GEJ.........Remembering Timipreye Sylva and his supportive days (laughing in china)

Kabikala:

Timipre Sylva got into trouble because he failed to support GEJ when he needed it most. During Yar'Adua's Saudi Arabia sojourn, he choose to align himself with those trying to stop Jona' from becoming president. He is paying the price now.

I think Dickson has learnt his lessons well and he is doing the smart thing to survive in this kind of times: support Jonathan.

seunfly:
But where are those who supported him during that trial? They have also become his enemies, now his best friends are strange faces who came when it was good and are giving him advice that is good to them.
I remenber then when Governors forum held him hostage it was Alao Akala publicly and Rotimi Amechi undground that stood by him against Bukola saraki led governors forum.
Where was Apabio, peter obi, Orubebe, chief Edwin clark, Tony Anenie, Bode goerge, Bamanga tukur and all his present day jolly ministers even militants were busy enjoying yaradua's amnesty? Now the coast is clear they dine with captain and advice him to trow his true friends overboard, who will help him out again if the the storm start like b4?
My advice to Oga jona is stop listening to those peaple around him that gives him all ds advices because he will see them no more when another storm start against his ship.

Omen100:

THANK YOU MY BROTHER, YOU DEY TALK SENSE BUT YOU FORGET TO INCLUDE PASTOR. TUNDE BAKARE THE PREPONDERANT OF PRESIDENT JONATHAN'S PRESIDENCY.

SlyIg: Its all politics!

otokx:

No permanent friends, no permanent enemies, only permanent interests, so lets just enjoy the show.

Gbawe: At the end of the day, Amaechi should remain strong. All the GEJ boys will attack him yet he is the sort Nigeria needs i.e resolute characters who are mentally strong, are not intimidated easily and can hold their own. We can all remember Turai, Ruma, Muhthar, Aondoakaa and Ibori carrying on as if Yar Adua's position meant they could do as they pleased to anything and anyone. Where are those characters today? Meanwhile opinionated men like Amaechi will always endure - especially in the era of politics Nigeria is evolutionarily heading towards.

Amaechi fought the vindictive malevolence of OBJ to be Governor whereas this Dickson character was virtually ushered into Bayelsa State house by the Presidency. Dickson can shoot his mouth now because the Presidency is behind him but we will see what the future brings for those who fought for and deserve where they are and those promoted above their Station like Yar Adua, GEJ, OBJ, Dickson et al. Has anyone ever wondered why OBJ cannot even thrive in SW Politics when things became about merit, innate ability, intellectual strategy/mobilisation and political winning nous? Is it not obvious OBJ and his kind are bullies who cannot swim in a river of merit?

We will see where a suck-ups and establishment tool like Dickson will be in a post-GEJ future and where independent-minded Amaechi can reach. where are the Yar Adua boys today? Amazing how Nigerians act as if there is no tomorrow.

eGuerrilla: ^^^
Some Nairalanders have such impressive powers of recall, they could give an elephant a good run for its money

safarigirl: This coming from the President's houseboy? It's safe to say Seriake is still kissing assss.

Bayelsa with all it's oil is still one of the poorest states in Southern Nigeria.

Instead of him to focus on making Bayelsa one of the top earning states (like Rivers is) he is here fighting another man's war.

Mtchew. Shameless excuse for a leader

Afam4eva: [size=14pt]I think i have to write a book title "Politics for dummies"...

People like Seriake Diskson whose mouth run like a newly commisioned public tap in Gbaramatu kingdom are myopic and never look at the future. While in politics, there are no permanent friends but interests, one has to be very careful not to be too explicit in showing who they're for or against. I remember how Tmipre Silva worshipped Jonathan but where is he today? He should learn to employ wisdom when talking about things like this. No one knows tomorrow. Amaechi could be a vice president, or senate president tomorrow and he will regret his actions.[/size]